“When we took the classes, we got an idea of how to run a business, how to write a business plan and also taught us how to manage money,” Juan says.

When they finished the classes, Juan says they learned new perspectives how to get started. Juan says he wanted to start his business in 2018 with the help of his brother.

Juan says he decided to ask his brother Diego, who had graduated with a business management degree, to become his business partner and thought it would be a great fit. Diego agreed, and both ventured out to worked together to start their business.

Product lined up on shelves inside Maya Market ready to be sold.

MLCDC’s program is what helped the brothers create a business plan and learn how to get loans to start the business.

Fast forward 10 months and the store is full of color. Maya Market, located at 2910 K St., offers a variety of chips, bread, seasoning, household items and apparel.

Juan says he deals with finding suppliers and ordering product while Diego handles with the paperwork for their business.

The majority of Maya Market’s products are from Central America, but they also carry Mexican products that customers buy on a daily basis, Juan says

“The classes help you figure out what you need to do and what you need to get done. And they help you out a lot,” Juan says, “I was always scared to start something without knowing if it would work, but sometimes you just have to go for it.”